WPM WPM Testing Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What WPM score is generally considered average for a professional typist?
- 20–30 WPM
- 40–50 WPM
- 65–75 WPM (Correct answer)
- 90–100 WPM
Correct answer: 65–75 WPM
The average professional typist types between 65–75 WPM with good accuracy.
Question 2: In a WPM test, what happens when a test-taker corrects an error before moving on?
- The correction is counted as an extra error
- The error is not counted in net WPM (Correct answer)
- The word is marked invalid
- The test automatically restarts
Correct answer: The error is not counted in net WPM
Errors corrected during the test do not count against your net WPM score.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes 'adjusted WPM'?
- WPM measured on a mobile device
- Net WPM corrected for test duration (Correct answer)
- Another name for gross WPM
- WPM measured only on home row keys
Correct answer: Net WPM corrected for test duration
Adjusted WPM accounts for test duration variations, normalizing the score to a per-minute basis.
Question 4: A typist types 350 characters in one minute with no errors. What is their WPM?
- 50 WPM
- 60 WPM
- 70 WPM (Correct answer)
- 80 WPM
Correct answer: 70 WPM
350 characters ÷ 5 characters per word = 70 WPM.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a typing speed certification?
- To qualify for academic scholarships
- To verify a typist meets a minimum professional standard (Correct answer)
- To measure hand strength
- To certify keyboard brand proficiency
Correct answer: To verify a typist meets a minimum professional standard
Typing certifications verify that a typist meets the minimum speed and accuracy required for professional roles.
Question 6: Which test format is most commonly used in US employment screening for typing speed?
- 5-minute dictation test
- 1-minute timed online typing test (Correct answer)
- Handwritten transcription test
- 10-minute coding test
Correct answer: 1-minute timed online typing test
The 1-minute timed online typing test is the most commonly used format in US employment screenings.
WPM WPM Testing Standards 2
What WPM score is generally considered average for a professional typist?